HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Downtown Huntsville, Inc. has announced the hiring of its new chief executive officer.

Chad Emerson, who currently serves as director of city development in Montgomery, will be heading to Huntsville to take his position as new CEO of the nonprofit organization.

"Chad Emerson brings to us years of professional experience in urban visioning and planning in addition to a list of innovative downtown development projects," Chairman Evans Quinlivan said in a statement. "His contacts with developers and investors throughout the southeast region will help us add new developments to our urban environment."

Emerson has managed successful downtown development projects in Montgomery and previously advised communities in implementing design standards along with other planning initiatives as an attorney.

"I look forward to collaborating with a wide variety of downtown stakeholders to help make downtown Huntsville one of the best places anywhere to live, work and visit," Emerson said in a statement.